ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India's Active Caseload declines to 8,26,740; lowest after 71 days
67,208 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
Daily Recoveries outnumber Daily New Cases for the 35th consecutive day
Recovery Rate further increases to 95.93%
Daily Positivity Rate stands at 3.48%; less than 5% positivity for 10 consecutive days
India continues to report a sustained slide in the daily new COVID cases. The country has reported 67,208 Daily New Cases in the last 24 hours.
Less than 1 lakh Daily New Cases have been reported for 10 continuous days now. This is a result of sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs.
India has also been witnessing a continuous fall in the active caseload. The country’s Active Caseload today stands at 8,26,740. This is lowest decline in active cases after 71 days.
A net decline of 38,692is witnessed in the last 24 hours and active cases are now only 2.78% of the country's total Positive Cases.
As more people are getting recovered from COVID-19 infection, India’s Daily Recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for 35 consecutive days now. 1,03,570recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours.
Over 36 thousand  more recoveries were reported during the last 24 hours as compared to the daily new cases.
Out of the people infected since the beginning of the pandemic, 2,84,91,670people have already recovered from COVID-19 &1,03,570patients have recovered in the last 24 hours. This constitutes an overall recovery rate of 95.93%, which is showing a sustained increasing trend.
With substantially ramped up testing capacity across the country, a total of 19,31,249tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. Cumulatively, India has conducted over 38.52crore  tests so far.
While on one side testing has been enhanced across the country, a continued decline in weekly case positivity is noticed. Weekly Positivity Rate is currently at 3.99% while the Daily Positivity rate stands at 3.48% today. It has remained less than 5% for 10 consecutive days now.
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage exceeds 26.55 crore today. A total of 26,55,19,251 vaccine doses have been administered through 36,58,159 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today. 34,63,961 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
These include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,00,88,081
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
70,17,838
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,69,56,515
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
89,36,711
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
4,73,43,608
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9,69,085
|
|
Age Group 45 to 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
7,79,22,224
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,22,96,349
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6,35,37,652
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,04,51,188
|
|
Total
|
|
26,55,19,251
Ministry of Power
Union Power Minister reviews operation of imported coal based plants and import of coal for blending by the States
Tolling to be allowed for State Gencos to optimally utilize linkage coal
Shri R. K. Singh urges States to import coal for blending purpose upto 10 percent to ensure adequate coal stocks for uninterrupted power supply
Issues of operationalising all ICB plants taken up
In order to avoid long distance coal transport in respect of certain State Gencos, tolling facility would be allowed up to 25 percent of linkage coal. Chairing a meeting to review ICB plants, import of coal for blending and coal stock position, Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy Shri R.K. Singh said that this would enable States to optimally utilize their linkage coal in the plants nearer to the mines as it would be easier to transmit electricity instead of coal transport to far off States.
Principal Secretaries and senior officials from States, Independent Power Producers and representatives of ICB plants attended the meeting. Union Power Secretary Shri Alok Kumar , Additional Secretary Shri Vivek Kumar Devangan and CMDs of Power CPSEs were also present in the meeting held yesterday. The meeting was held in the wake of rising power demand.
The Minister took review of the operations of imported coal based plants and directed all the procurer States to ensure that all ICB plants are operational at fair and reasonable tariffs. It was decided to resolve all the operational issues in ICB plants and make them fully functional.
Keeping in view the rapidly increasing demand for power, it was recommended that all Gencos should endeavor to import coal for blending upto ten percent. State wise and Genco wise targets were fixed and it was urged to ensure delivery of coal for blending purpose before onset of monsoon as domestic coal supply gets affected during rainy season.
Ministry of Tourism
Union Minister Shri Shripad Naik to lead ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ Campaign in Goa
Goa, 10 August 2022
Union Minister Shri Shripad Naik will participate and lead the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' Campaign in Goa. He will also pay tribute to martyrs at Lohiya Maidan, Madgaon on Thursday, 11th August 2022. The programme has been organized by India Tourism, in association with Goa Shipyard Limited, Mormugao Port Authority, Konkan Railway Corporation and Collectorate South Goa, as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations to commemorate 75 years of Independence.
After paying floral tributes to martyrs, the Union Minister will hoist the National Flag at Madgaon Railway Station and participate in a public function in which Freedom Fighters will be felicitated. National Flags will be distributed to the citizens at the hands of the Union Minister.
Member of Parliament, South Goa Shri Francisco Sardinha, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Vinay Tendulkar and local public representatives will attend the programme.
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Ministry of Education
National Book Trust, India of MHRD Releases On-Line Questionnaire to Assess Community Perception about the Psycho-Social Impact of COVID-19
In continuation of the multi-dimensional approach of the Government of India to address issues related to Covid-19 and subsequent Lockdown, the National Book Trustwhich is the national body for book publishing and book promotion under the Ministry of HRD, is in the process of preparing seven booklets on the Psycho-Social Impact and How to Cope through a Study Group of psychologists and counsellors under its just launched Corona Studies Seriesto assess Community perception about the psycho-social impact of this pandemic.
Now, the NBT Study Group  has released a set of Questionnaires in Hindi & English of seven segments to assess Psycho-Social Impact of COVID-19 and the Lockdown and How to Cope. The seven segments comprise: 1. Parents, Mothers & Women; 2. Children, Adolescents and Youth; 3. Employees, Professionals, Self-Employed & Workers; 4. Differently-abled; 5. COVID-19 Affected Families; 6. Medical & Essential Services Providers; 7. Elderly . The Public circulation of the Questionnaire is intended to create a conducive environment for community participation and sharing of emotions in the lockdown period.
Readers and general public are encouraged to participate in the Online Questionnaire and share their feelings and experiences to make the study useful for all. Corona affected families are encouraged to participate and send their responses. The link to access the questionnaire is https://nbtindia.gov.in/home__92__on-line-questionnaire-for-nbt-study.nbt.
The NBT Study Group comprises DrJitendraNagpal, DrHarsheeta, SqLdr  Meena Arora, Lt Col TarunUppal, Mrs. Rekha Chauhan, Mrs. Sonie Sidhu and Ms. Aparajita Dixit. Statement issued by them states, "This Study Group is deeply conscious of the challenging task assigned to it in the tough times of COVID-19 Global pandemic crisis. The Group will develop methodologies and practical tips to deal with situations, helped by easy-to-assimilate reading materials on various segments through research, virtual interviews and case studies. This shall help in the overall empowerment and awareness to deal with the lockdown and keep the optimum emotional strength and courage."
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
CCEA approves Review of Guidelines for Granting Authorization to market Transportation Fuels
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs  chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Review of Guidelines for Granting Authorization to market Transportation Fuels. This marks a major reform of the guidelines for marketing of petrol and diesel.
The existing policy for granting authorization to market transportation fuels had not undergone any changes for the last 17 years since 2002. It has now been revised to bring it in line with the changing market dynamics and with a view to encourage investment from private players, including foreign players, in this sector. The new Policy will give a fillip to ‘Ease of Doing Business’, with transparent policy guidelines. It will boost direct and indirect employment in the sector. Setting up of more retail outlets  will result in better competition and better services for consumers
Salient features & Major Impact:
- Much lower entry barrier for private players - the entities seeking authorisation would need to have a minimum net worth of Rs.250 crore vis-à-vis the current requirement of Rs. 2000 crore prior investment.
- Non – Oil Companies can also invest in the retail sector. Requirement of prior investment in Oil and Gas Sector, mainly in exploration and production, refining, pipelines/terminals etc., has been done away with.
- The entities seeking market authorisation for petrol and diesel are allowed to apply for retail and bulk authorisation separately or both
- The companies have been given flexibility in setting up a Joint Venture or Subsidiary for market authorisation.
- In addition to conventional fuels, the authorized entities are required to install facilities for marketing at least one new generation alternate fuel, like CNG, LNG, biofuels, electric charging, etc. at their proposed retail outlets within 3 years of operationalization of the said outlet
- More private players, including Foreign players, are expected to invest in retail fuel marketing leading to better competition and better services for consumers
- The new entities will bring in latest technology for marketing of fuels and also encourage digital payments at the ROs.
- Entities will also encourage employment of women and ex-servicemen at the retail outlets.
- CCTV facilities will be set up at all retail outlets
- The authorised entities are required to set up minimum 5% of the total retail outlets in the notified remote areas within 5 years of grant of authorisation. A robust monitoring mechanism has been set up to monitor this obligation.
- An individual may be allowed to obtain dealership of more than one marketing company in case of open dealerships of PSU OMCs but at different sites.
Prime Minister's Office
PM meets Smt. Droupadi Murmu
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi met and congratulated Smt. Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the President of India.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"Met Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji and congratulated her."
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
SECI Organizes Webinar on Mental Health and Immunity
Solar Energy Corporation of India  Limited , a Central Public Sector Enterprise  under administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy , Govt. of India has organized a Webinar in association with Viveo health today to provide guidance to employees during this period. Mental health post-COVID and boosting of immunity are essential tools to deal with the pandemic.
SECI is the nodal agency of Govt of India implementing various renewable electricity projects across the country. SECI also handles supply of electricity to different state electricity utilities in various parts of the country.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  and theVereniging van Registercontrollers, the Netherlands
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding  between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  and the Vereniging van Registercontrollers, the Netherlands.
The MoU would help instrengthening and development of the Accounting, Financial and Audit Knowledge Base between the Netherlands and India.
Implementation strategy and Targets:
- ICAI and VRC will work together to hold and conduct Technical Events, Seminars,Conferences in the Netherlands;
- To establish possible co-operation in respect of Member Management, ProfessionalEthics, Technical Research, Continuing Professional Education; ProfessionalAccountancy Training, Education and Examinations, as well as theInstitutionalCapacity Building of the Accountancy profession;
- To offer short term professional courses in the domain of Accounting, Finance,Information Technology and Audit in the Netherlands;
- To discuss potential emerging developments in form of Students and FacultyExchange programmes;
- Share available unrestricted information concerning the accountancy profession inIndia and the Netherlands and internationally when required.
Benefits:
The engagement between the premier Institutes of both the countries would help to generate greater employment opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountants and also greater remittances back to India.
Impact:
ICAI has a strong membership base of over 1500 members in the European region and around 80 members in the Netherlands. The contemplated MoU, for providing assistance to VRC, the Netherlands, shall benefit the ICAl members in the region and would provide an additional impetus to prospects of the ICAI members to get professional opportunitiesin the Netherlands.
Background:
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 for the regulation of the profession of Chartered Accountants in India. Vereniging van Registercontrollers , established in 1988, is a voluntary professional organization and members offer services in management accounting, financial accounting, integrated reporting, strategic control and risk management, and corporate governance.
Ministry of Science & Technology
New smartphone-based portable oxygen kit can provide consistent oxygen supply during disasters and medical emergencies
An easy to handle and transport, multi-modal, smartphone-based, field-portable oxygen kit can now provide consistent and cost-effective oxygen supply to communities during situations like the recent COVID 19 pandemic and other disasters like medical emergencies and high altitude-related problems.
The field-portable smart bag pack emergency oxygen concentrator called Oxygen Plus was designed by GRS India, a Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  Government of India, recognized start-up with support from the North East Centre For Technology Application and Reach , an autonomous organisation of the Department of Science and Technology . The product suitable for easy transportation in the hilly terrains of the North East will be manufactured in the NER. The patent filling is under process.
During the recent pandemic, arranging oxygen for patients suffering from breathlessness had become a major challenge. Conventional oxygen support techniques for pulmonary, respiratory, and trauma patients in community outreach, were found to be time-consuming, costly, and required sophisticated equipment and procedures. It was difficult to reach them in time of need, especially to remote areas.
In view of similar situations in the future, the start-up came up with the idea of development of a field-portable smart bag pack emergency kit-based oxygen refiller, which could be linked to a monitoring mobile APP for covid19 and other emergency life support.
The device can also be used by frontline workers, paramedics, fire tenders, nurses, doctors for oxygen support during medical emergencies, trauma as well as disasters to protect the health workers from the risk of breathing contaminated air.
The developed product is currently being validated, and the design is being improved.
Field-portable smart bag pack emergency kit-based oxygen refiller
Prototype of Field-portable emergency kit-based oxygen refiller with backpack
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Advisory to Print and Electronic Media
In light of the recent incidents in various parts of the country, wherein media-persons have contracted COVID19 in line of work, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has today issued an advisory to all Print and Electronic media.
The Ministry has advised that media persons including reporters, cameramen, photographers etc., who are covering incidents relating to COVID-19 in various parts of the country and are involved in travel to, among other places, containment zones, hotspots and other COVID affected areas, may take due health and related precautions while performing their duties. The Ministry has also requested the Management of media houses to take necessary care of their filed staff as well as office staff.
The complete advisory can be read at on the website of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the link
https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Advisory%20to%20Print%20and%20Electronic%20Media.pdf
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
In wake of Covid 19 pandemic, permission granted to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation  to introduce ISO Tank Containers for movement of Liquid Oxygen for domestic transport
In the wake of the Covid19 pandemic, and the urgent need felt to move oxygen in sufficient quantity, at a short notice, from surplus areas to deficit areas, it was felt necessary to give permission to ISO containers to move liquid oxygen for domestic transport.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade , M/o Commerce and Industry, has given permission to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation  to introduce ISO Tank Containers for movement of Liquid Oxygen for domestic transport.
Amid Novel Corona Virus  pandemic, the movement of oxygen within the country through the ISO containers shall greatly enhance the translocation of safe and fast movement of oxygen through road network.
The proposal to introduce ISO Tank Containers for domestic movement was initiated by DPIIT after a consultation meeting with cryogenic oxygen manufacturers. A stakeholder consultation was also carried out. This permission has been given for one year initially to expeditiously deal with the emergent situation.
In this context, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization  has devised the module for receipt of online applications from the stake holders to expeditiously grant the permissions for ISO Tank Containers for oxygen.
ISO Tank is a tank container built to the ISO standard . ISO tanks are designed to carry liquids in bulk. The tank is made of stainless steel and is surrounded by various types of protective layers.ISO tanker can carry 20 MT of liquid oxygen. Since they can carry huge amount of Oxygen at one go, ISO containers will help to translocate sufficient Oxygen to areas where required.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
MNRE formulates policies to develop and facilitate domestic solar manufacturing capabilities
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy , Government of India, has been consistently bringing out policies for developing and facilitating domestic solar manufacturing capabilities in the country. Some of the recent initiatives, inter-alia, include:
- Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules: The Government of India is implementing the Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, for achieving domestic manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt  scale in High Efficiency Solar PV modules and solar PV cells, with an outlay of Rs. 24,000 crore.
This Scheme has provision for Production Linked Incentive  to the selected solar PV module manufacturers for five years post commissioning, on manufacture and sale of High Efficiency Solar PV modules. The Scheme is being implemented in two tranches. Tranche-I has an outlay of Rs. 4,500 crore, under which Letters of Award have been issued to three successful bidders for setting up of 8737 MW of fully integrated solar PV module manufacturing units. For Tranche-II with an outlay of Rs. 19,500 crore, the Scheme Guidelines have been issued on 30.09.2022 and tender document for selection of solar PV manufacturers has been issued on 18.11.2022.
- Domestic Content Requirement : Under some of the current schemes of the MNRE, namely CPSU Scheme Phase-II, PM-KUSUM Component B and Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II, wherein government subsidy is given, it has been mandated to source solar PV cells and modules from domestic sources.
- Preference to ‘Make in India’ in Public Procurement: Through implementation of ‘Public Procurement  Order’, procurement and use of domestically manufactured solar PV modules and domestically manufactured solar inverters has been mandated for Government/ Government entities.
- Imposition of Basic Customs Duty on import of solar PV cells & modules: The Government has imposed Basic Customs Duty  on import of solar PV cells and modules, with effect from 01.04.2022.
- Discontinuation of Customs Duty Concessions: MNRE has discontinued issuance of Customs Duty Concession Certificates for import of material /equipment for initial setting up of solar PV power projects with effect from 02.02.2021.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh Union Minister for Power and MNRE in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
BIS OFFICIALS RAIDED PACKAGED DRINKING WATER UNIT WITH FAKE ISI MARK
A team of Officials from Bureau of Indian Standards , Chennai Branch Office, conducted an Enforcement Search and Seizure Raid operation on
12-07-2023 at M/s Viva Foods and Beverages Unit - II, No. 53, Sivan Koil Street, Kodambakkam, Chennai 600024, based on an information of suspected violation of BIS Act, 2016.
During the operation conducted by a team of Officials constituting Shri. Gowththam B J, Scientist-D/Joint Director, Shri. S. Kannan, JSA and staff members, in pursuance of Section 28 of BIS Act 2016, the firm was found to be filling Packaged Drinking Water in 20 litre PET Jars bearing labels marked with spurious ISI Mark. Stocks of 47 nos 20 litre PET Jars filled with Packaged Drinking Water and bearing labels marked with spurious ISI mark, with multiple brand names 'BISLERI, BLU MIST, IND AQUA, HILL TOP, KRISHNA AQUA, THANGA, LEATER, SPRINKLING, NO.1 AQUA, RUBI AQUA, ARG AQUA and LOGAN' and BIS licence numbers of different manufacturers were seized during the Search and Seizure operation. The above firm does not hold a valid BIS Licence, thus the firm has violated Section 16 and Section 17 of BIS Act 2016.
Head of Chennai Branch Office Ms. G. Bhavani stated that action would be initiated by Bureau of Indian Standards, Southern Regional Office, Chennai Branch Office against the offender under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. The offence is punishable with imprisonment up to two years or a fine not less than Rs. 2,00,000/- but may extend up to ten times the value of goods or articles produced or sold or offered to be sold or affixed or applied with a Standard Mark or both as per Section 29 of BIS Act, 2016 for first Contravention.
General public are, therefore requested that in case they come across such instances of Misuse of ISI Mark the same may be intimated to BIS Chennai Branch Office, CIT Campus, 4th Cross Road, Taramani, Chennai-600 113. Such complaints can also be made by using the BIS Care App or by sending an E-Mail to cnbo1@bis.gov.in. The source of such information would be strictly kept confidential. BIS Website www.bis.gov.in and e-BIS  may be browsed for general information on BIS.
For More information on the Raid, kindly contact Shri. Gowththam B J, Scientist-D @ 9486873051
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